tells us this, but if we watch the nightly news we can get a glimpse how these trillions are
spent, a couple of billions at a time.
It doesn't matter whether there is a need for whatever is purchased, if someone among the
thousands of govt. employees who have their own "checkbook" wants to buy something,
it is bought!
We hear of the outrageous purchases for military equipment no one in the Pentagon asks for,
but overruled by a member of Congress representing the district that will build the unneeded
equipment. The argument is that it will "save jobs".
Too bad such good fortune does not occur in the private sector outside the benefits it can
provide politicians. If it did, perhaps tens of thousands of jobs lost in the financial debacle
of 2008 might have been saved too. The only "good fortune" these folks received were
unemployment checks, which I suppose was beneath the dignity of military contractors'
employees whose jobs had to be saved.
We also see Federal agencies waste tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on duplicate
spending efforts, even after Congress, the official watchdog, makes hundreds of
recommendations for cutting back. Again, as long as you have Uncle Sam's checkbook
you can never overdraw "his" account!
In 2014 for example, more than $125 billion was spent on improper payments from Medicare
and Medicaid mismanagement to transportation programs to weapon systems acquisitions
all found and highlighted Government Accountability Office (GAO)report.
While the GAO has offered more than 440 recommendations across 180 areas where
agencies can cut back, over the past five years only 29% were fully addressed.
The GAO may have "accountability" in its title, good luck finding anyone who understands
what this means or cares enough to ensure its done.
Now look away from Washington, look across the country as presidential candidates are
traveling around fighting to become their party's nominee.
Two Democrats are arguing which of them can give away the most stuff and Republicans
are fighting about which of them has the best temperament to be president. Yet, in
dozens of debates the $4 trillion spent year is never mentioned!
Politicians can talk all they want about simplifying the tax code, lowering tax rates, making
American government more responsible and anything else. But beyond talk, the same shell
game goes on.
This $4 trillion is the lifeblood of the faceless Washington establishment, its our yearly
confiscated "tribute" that must continue. If it ever is dramatically cut, the house of cards that is Washington 'governance' will collapse.
Say good bye to the $200 haircuts and $400 power lunches. The "important" meetings
attended in Davos and Aspen would have to be moved to a Washington venue.
And what of the satellite communities orbiting Washington? Say good bye to skyrocketing
home prices and don't expect to see traffic jams on the belt-line with new foreign made Mercedes and Lexus all paid for with American greenbacks.
And, what would happen to the "K Street" lobbyists who guide Federal spending from afar,
but not too inconvenient so they can't still drop off their own tribute to Capitol Hill so the
wheels of govt. will keep running smoothly? Their wells may not run dry, but they'll need
a longer rope attached to a smaller bucket to pull up the cash!
This is what this election is all about, which person will lead the parade down Main St and
Wall St. collecting the $4 trillion needed to run our country.
Staying home on election day may be the wisest "vote" you can cast.
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